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“Maybe”

We are so quick to judge. So quick to think we’ve got all the answers. Perhaps we do have all the answers, but I doubt it. Just listen to any number of news or faux-news pundits and they speak as if they have some special superman vision into the future. And, each one is different. So who’s right? Answer: No one. As long as we live on planet earth and we are still human, everything changes, shifts, moves on, returns, ages, and finally, dies. Spending vasts amount of mental energy (i.e., stress) surmising what our future will look like is a waste. My teacher, Judith Lasater, says, “worrying is praying for something you don’t want to happen”.

Jean Grant-Sutton, yoga therapist and teacher in Petaluma reminded me in her latest newsletter of a Buddhist or Chinese parable/proverb. It’s a strong message to ease up on the rush to judgment. Here’s how it goes:

“There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically. “Maybe,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed. “Maybe,” replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. “Maybe,” answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “Maybe,” said the farmer.”

So, the future may seem “bad” but maybe it will be or maybe it won’t. Suffice it to say that things will be different. Each second, hour, day, decade is different than the previous. It is best to continue to put our efforts into being the best human beings we can be. We take care of ourselves, family, neighbors, communities and every person, place or thing. Regardless.